Automatic radio receiving apparatus



Feb. 4, 1936. J. L. CASSELL 2,029,909

UTOMATIC RADI O RECEIVING APPARATUS v Filed July 1, 1929 2 Shets-Sheet 1 S v v 73 SPEED CONTROL 23 A6 v\20 I MOM :1 Ac. RECT ER ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1936. c ss 2,029,909

AUTOMATIC RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed'July l, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Rye.

RSSQO-1$W- INVENTOR JOSEPH L. CASSELL ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES AUTOMATIC RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Joseph L. Cassell, New York, N. Y., assignorg by mesne assignments, to Wired Radio, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July 1, 1929, Serial No. 375,250

6 Claims.

This invention relates to radio receiving apparatus and particularly to a system for arrangmgthe tuning of a radioreceive'r over a period or time according to a predetermined schedule.

7 One of the objects of this invention is to facilitate the reception of desired programs and to eliminate the reception of undesired programs.

Another object of this invention is to prevent the missing of a desired radio program through neglect to tune in or energize the receiver at the time the program is broadcast.

Another object of the invention is to enable a radio receiver to be adjusted at one time to receive certain stations at consecutive subsequent periods of time. I

A still further ,object of the invention is to enable a radio receiver to be adjusted at one time to become operative and tune in a particular station at a definite future hour.

With the usualty'pe of radio receiver it is necessiiry to manipulate a tuning dial or dials each time a different station is selected for reception. Moreover, if reception is desired from a station at a certain time to receive a particular program when the receiver is not in operation, it is necessary to energize the receiver before tuning. Although these operations are not diflicult to perform, they are, nevertheless, a source of annoyance and are likely to be forgotten or neglected until it is too late for the reception of that particular program.

The present invention provides a method of and means for tuning a radio receiver which will be effective over a period of several hours duration, and which will select the programs desired at the proper hours of their broadcast. If there is no program desired between the hours when the other programs are to be received, the receiver will be automatically made inoperative during this intermediate period. The power is removed from the receiver during this interim and also when the last program is terminated. This action saves operating power and prolongs the life of the tubes.

The tuning system of this invention may also be set previous tothe hour when the program is broadcast, the receiver being de-energized until the hour when the program is to be received, at which time it will be made operative and the program tuned in. In this manner the system may be utilized as an alarm by setting the receiver to bring in a station at a certain subsequent hour.

The invention employs an electrical clock mechanism well known in the art, which may be operated at different speeds permitting a selection of the programs at intervals of 15 minutes and longer. One of the hands of the clock rotates over twelve serially arranged commutator bars,

the time required for the hand to pass over any one bar being 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour, according to the speed at which the clock motor has been adjusted.

Through the hands and commutator bars, circuits are completed at the proper hours to connect in the correct tuning elements to receive the broadcast wave length desired in accordance with the arrangement of the keyboard.

The advantages of this invention will be apparent, and the means for accomplishing the objects of the invention more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic circuit drawing of a radio receiver embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the automatic control board of the receiver of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section of one of the keys on the control board of Fig. 2.

Referring specifically to Fig. l, a radio circuit A comprises high frequency stages 5 and 6, detector 1, audio frequency stages 8 and 9 and a receiver I 0. This radio circuit is supplied with energy from a rectifier B which is connected to the ordinary house supply or similar source over a circuit including power leads ll, conductor I2, conductor l3 and contact l8 of a relay l9. Radio stage 5 is untuned while radio frequency stage 6 is tuned by the secondary of coupling transformer I4 which forms a resonant circuit with any one of fixed condensers l5, I6-or l'I. Detector stage I is tuned with the secondary of coupling transformer 20 which forms a resonant circuit with any one of fixed condensers 2|, 22 or 23.

An electrically driven clock is shown with hands 24 and 25 and commutator bars or segments 26 to 31, inclusive. The segments contact with the hand 24 as it rotates in the direction shown by the arrow. Hand 25 of the clock rotates with hand 24 and makes continual contact with a slip ring 38. A coil 39 represents diagrammatically the driving means for the clock which is supplied directly from the supply leads ll. The speed of the clock motor is adjusted by a speed control device shown at 42, of any suitable type such as pole shifting switches or a voltage divider depending upon the type of motor employed. The relay I9 is energized through a transformer 48.

A plurality of switches SI connect condensers l5, I6 and I! through the commutator bars 26 to 31, inclusive, into the radio frequency stage 6, and a plurality of switches S2 connect condensers 2|, 22 and 23 through commutator bars 26 to 31, inclusive, into the detector stage 1. Certain individual components of the switches SI and S2 will be designated in the description of the operation of the circuit.

Referring to Fig. 2 the control panel of the automatic tuning circuit is shown set to receive programs over a 12 hour period. The period may be adjusted to 6 hours or 3 hours in length depending upon the speed of rotation of the clock. An indicator knob 58 adjusts the control device 42 of Fig. 1 and provides the three time periods above mentioned, The clock hand 24 is shown at 12 and will make one complete rotation in 12 hours since the knob 56 is set at the 1 hour interval position. This hand may be manually adjusted by a knob 68. The indicia on the co-ordinate keyboard designates the stations which the circuit is capable of receiving, off positions for de-energizing the receiver and the time positions. This co-ordinate system of button switches 55 provides means to tune in any particular station at any particular time, twelve hours or less in advance. For instance, the tuning schedule as shown on the board by the solid black keys is as follows: From 1 oclock until 2 oclock station WEAF will be received; from 2 oclock until 4 oclock the set will be de-energized and inoperative; from 4 until 5 oclock WOR will be received; from 5 until 6 oclock WJ Z; from 6 until '1 oclock WOR; from '7 to 8 oclock WEAF; from 8 until 10 oclock WJZ; from 10 until 12 oclock WOR; and at 12 oclock the set will be de-energized or shut oil.

In Fig. 3 a push button 55 of the keyboard of Fig. 2 has located on the terminal of its shaft a ball tip 56 of conducting material, which makes contact with spring conductors 51 and 58 in one position and at the same time making connection with a terminal 59 through the shaft of the push button. When the button is out, these contacts are broken to prevent feed back oscillations between stages through the tuning condensers. Terminal 59 is connected to one of the commutator bars 26 to 31, inclusive, while spring conductors 51 and 59 connect to leads going to switches SI and S2.

The electrical connections established by the push-buttons 55 in Fig. 2 are shown diagrammatically by groups of switches SI and S2 in Fig. 1. It is not intended to limit this invention to any particular mechanical construction or type of switch as any switching arrangement may be used which is capable of making the connections shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. Each horizontal row of four push-buttons on the keyboard of Fig. 2 corresponds to and performs the functions of one of the connected pairs of switches in the groups SI and S2 of Fig. 1. For example, the four push-buttons in row No. I of Fig. 2 correspond in function to the pair of switches having movable arms 68 and H in Fig. 1, each of the push-buttons being constructed as shown in Fig. 3. The left-hand contact springs 58 of three of the push-buttons in row No. I are connected respectively to condensers I5, I6, and I1; the right hand contact springs 51 of the same three pushbuttons being connected respectively to condensers 23, 22, and 2|. Contact springs 58 and 51 of the fourth or right-hand push-buttons in this row may be connected together but at least one of these contact springs is connected to one end of relay coil I9 of Fig. 1. four push-buttons are connected together through their respective terminals 59 and to segment 21 of time switch C. The left-hand contact springs 58 of each vertical row of buttons shown in Fig. 2 are connected together and the righthand contact springs of each vertical row are also connected together, corresponding to the parallel connections of the switch points in the groups SI and S2 in Fig. 1. It is apparent, therefore, in ac- The ball tips 56 of all cordance with the foregoing example, that when the push-button in horizontal row No. I and the vertical row marked WEAF of Fig. 2, is depressed, one pair of condensers, namely, I1 and 2I, are connected together and are connected through tip 56 and terminal 52 of this button to segment 21 on time switch C. When a button in the right-hand vertical row of Fig. 2 is pushed, connection is made from the secondary of transformer 48 through relay coil I9, through contact spring 51 or 58, or both, of the push-button to terminal 59, thence to the segment on clock C corresponding to the horizontal row in which the push-button is located and, if arm 24 is in contact with this segment, the connection is continued through arm 24, arm 25, ring 38, conductor 66, to the other side of the secondary of transformer 48, thereby energizing coil I9 and disconnecting the source of supply from the receiver by opening contact I8. It will be understood that for proper operation of the device only one button in each horizontal row may be depressed at one time.

In Fig. 2 the position of the schedule buttons 55 is in accordance with the position of the switches SI and S2 in Fig. 1. Assuming main line switch 62 closed at 12 oclock, and the hand 24 placed in the 12 oclock position by hand knob 66, a circuit may be traced through winding of relay I9, conductor 64, contact 65 in parallel with contact 69, clock segment 26, hand 24, hand 25, ring 38, conductor 66, and secondary winding of transformer 48, The making of this circuit energizes relay I9, which breaks contact I8 and breaks the power supply circuit to the rectifier B. The clock C is also energized directly from the leads I I.

The hand 24 now moves over segment 26 but the system remains in the inoperative position until the hand 24 reaches commutator segment 21, at which time the energizing circuit just traced for relay I9 will be broken thereby making contact I8 and connecting the power supply to the rectifier. A circuit from the secondary of interstage transformer I4 may now be traced through condenser I1, contact 68, segment 21, hand 24, hand 25, ring 38, conductor 69, conductor- 10, and back to the secondary winding of transformer I4 placing condenser I1 across the transformer winding to tune the radio stage 6 to the frequency of WEAFs carrier wave. Simultaneously a second circuit is made from the secondary winding of transformer 20 through condenser 2 I, contact 1I, segment 21, hand 24, hand 25, ring 38, conductor 65, conductor 16 and back to the secondary winding of the transformer 28 placing condenser 2I across this: transformer winding and tuning the detector stage to the carrier frequency of station WEAF.

According to the schedule on the keyboard the system remains tuned in on WEAF's carrier frequency until two oclock when hand 24 reaches the segment 28, breaking the last above-mentioned circuits and making a circuit through the relay I9, contact 12 in parallel with contact 13, and segment 28 on the clock. The making of this circuit de-energizes the set by opening the contact I8. These circuits are also maintained from 3 to 4 oclock through clock segment 29.

At 4 oclock a circuit is made through segment 38, hand 24, and contacts 15 and 16 to connect in fixed condensers I6 and 22, across transformers I4 and 20, respectively, tuning in WORs broadcast frequency. At. 5 oclock WJZs carrier frequency is tuned in by condensers I 5 and 23 being connected across transformers I4 and 29, respectively, through commutator segment 3| and hand 24. The remaining tuning schedule will be followed as the hands 24 and 25 rotate and make contact with the respective segments connecting in the proper condensers at the proper hours.

As the system is now arranged, the clock C keeps time and will do so as long as the motor control knob 60 is set at the 60-minute position. If it is desired, however, to receive one program for only a minute inter'val, while longer periods of reception are required to receive complete programs of other stations, the buttons on the co-ordinate system may be pressed accordingly to properly accomplish this result. For instance, if the control knob 50 were placed on the 15 minute interval designation and the schedule buttons were operated as shown and the main switch 62 closed at 1 oclock the system would tune in WEAF at 1 oclock to be received for only 15 minutes, no program would be received for the next one-half hour; WOR, WJZ, WOR, and WEAF would be received at successive 15 minute intervals in the order named; WJZ would then be received for one-half hour; WOR for one-half hour and the receiver then turned off.

If the speed control knob 50 were set at the 30 minute interval designation and the buttons were pressed as shown in the drawings, the following program would be received, WEAF for one-half hour; the set would be off for one hour; WOR, WJ Z, WOR, and WEAF would be received over successive periods of one-half hour each in the order named; then WJZ for one hour; WOR. for one hour and the set then turned oil.

To employ the receiver as an alarm, assume that WEAF is desired tuned in at '7 o'clock in the morning and the set adjusted in the evening. The manipulation of the control board is as follows: main switch 62 is closed, hand 24 is set at whatever hour of the evening the board is adjusted, knob 50 is set at the 60 minute interval; designation "off" buttons representing the period between the time of setting and '7 oclock are pressed and the button corresponding to WEAF and 7 oclock is pressed. The receiver will now remain inoperative until '7 oclock in the morning, when WEAFwill be tuned in.

Although in the foregoing specification only three stations are shown illustrated and described to simplify the description of the invention, it is to be understood that it is only necessary to em.- ploy other condensers corresponding to IS, IS, ll, 2 I, 22, and 23 together with their respective contacts SI and S2, to add as many stations as desired. Furthermore, this invention contemplates the employment of other means of clock motivation such as the usual spring wound motors and the like constructed in accordance with the invention.

The invention has been described and embodied in a. particular circuit arrangement and control board, but it is to be understood that the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A radio control system comprising, circuit means for receiving and reproducing radio programs, switching means for altering the connections of said circuit means to produce different circuit arrangements, one after the other in sequence, for causing said circuit means to be diflerently characterized for the reception and reproduction of programs, and driving means for actuating said switching means to perform said sequence of operations, and control means for controlling said driving means to be actuated at different speeds all of which have an integral multiple relationship with each other, whereby said sequence of different characterizations of said circuit means can be performed in selectively different time intervals having an aliquot time inter-relationship with a program broadcast time interval.

2. A radio control system in accordance with claim 1 in which said circuit means includes electron tube circuits and a plurality of fixed reactive frequency determining elements, and in which said switching means selectively connects said elements in said electron tube circuits to produce a sequence of different resonant circuits of different frequency characteristics for the reception of programs of different carrier frequency.

3. A radio control system in accordance with claim 1 in which said switching means includes a plurality of independently settable elements for prearranging the sequence of said connections, and in which said driving means comprises an electrically rotatable mechanism.

4. A radio control system in accordance with claim 1 in which said switching means includes a plurality of independently settable elements for prearranging the sequence of said connections, said driving means comprises an electrically rotatable mechanism, and said control means comprises a manually operable electrical device for supplying variable energy to said electrically rotatable mechanism for predetermining said different time intervals.

5. A radio control system in accordance with claim 1 in which said circuit means includes electron tube circuits and a plurality of fixed reactive frequency determining elements, said switching means includes a plurality of settable elements for prearranging the sequence of said connections including said frequency determining elements in said electron tube circuits, and in which said driving means comprises an electrically rotatable mechanism for rotatably cooperating with said settable elements to produce said sequence of circuit characterizations for receiving different programs of different carrier frequencies at different times.

6. A radio control system comprising, electron tube circuits, frequency controlling means for introducing diiferent reactive values in said tube circuits for rendering the same selective to different signalling frequencies, a plurality of settable elements for predetermining the sequence of operations of said frequency controlling means, time controlled driving means for effecting the operation of said frequency controlling means in a sequence determined by said settable elements, said settable elements being arranged in on and off groups, each group corresponding to a particular frequency of program reception, and the individual settable elements in each group corresponding to the time course of said driving means, said driving means comprising an electrical motor and including an electrical control device for causing said motor to operate selectively at speeds which have an integral multiple relationship with each other.

JOSEPH L. CASSELL. 

